CEA SPRING NEWSLETTER

MARCH, 2009
"Reclaiming the World; Walk Humbly" - Micah 6:8

The mission of the Christian Educators Association is to inspire and support Christian educators and encourage community by providing opportunities for spiritual and professional growth based on God's Word.

Letter From the CEA President

Grace and peace to each of you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

While it has been nearly 6 months since our last convention, your CEA Board has been hard at work preparing for the next one, October 22 and 23, 2009.  Part of our preparation is to look back at the comments made about 2008 and act on them.   Thank you to the many who did in fact share good ideas, helpful observations and encouragement about CEA 2008. 

There was an overwhelming satisfaction expressed for the convention this past year.  Teachers enjoyed the theme and how it was incorporated into presentations, sectionals and liturgies.  Many expressed joy in the variety and quality of sectionals last year.  Once more we say thank you to the CEA Board for its excellent work, to those who worked behind the scenes and on the stage to make our time beneficial and delightful.

CEA is now operating under a new constitution.  A special thanks to previous Governing Boards which worked so hard and long to make this possible.  You are invited to visit our CEA website to review the new Constitution and Operating Procedures.   While there will be no great visible change to what CEA does, changes made will help CEA operate more smoothly and effectively thereby serving you, the members, better.  May God bless the work being done.

One change to highlight is the Board's decision to hire a part-time technologies person.  Mr. Dan Vos will manage our web site, assist the Board in its routine tech needs and direct our tech responsibilities at the Convention.

While teachers enjoyed our 2008 Convention, "Reclaiming Lives: Do Justice, Love Mercy, we now look forward with anticipation to its sequel in our 2009 Convention.  Our new theme is "RECLAIMING THE WORLD, WALK HUMBLY."  Micah 6:8 is again the basis for our convention.  Last year we were called to justice.  This year's convention will call us to humility as we reflect on our role as stewards of God's world and as we reflect our God to the world.  

Our convention key noter, featured lecturers, and sectionals breath "green."  Keynote speak Cal DeWitt's short book  Earth Wise is worth a read before the convention.  Be challenged to prepare for the convention in prayer, in thought and in deed.  Come to hear what God's people have to say about being stewards of the Kingdom.

May the Lord bless your going out and your coming in until we meet again.  Walk Humbly with Your God.  Shalom.

John Klompmaker, CEA President

Future CEA Convention Dates

• 2009 - October 22 & 23 - South Bend, Indiana
• 2010 - October 21 & 22 - South Bend, Indiana
• 2011 - October 13 & 14 - South Bend, Indiana
• 2012 - To be determined - To be determined
• 2013 - To be determined - Grand Rapids, Michigan

Convention Planning Committee Report

1. Many outstanding speakers/presenters are already in place.

• See the President's Report
• See the website in the early fall for a complete listing.
• Continue to pass along your ideas to the CEA committees

2. Many of the "new" ideas from last year are being used again this year

• A schedule that begins and ends with the group as a whole
• Multiple prize drawings from visiting the exhibitor's booths.

3. We are also exploring the idea of offering graduate credit this year.  It may take the form of following a selected "strand" of seminars and speakers along with pre and post assignments.  We are working with the Calvin College Graduate program in development. 

4. We are also exploring the option of earning SB-CEU's (State Board - Continuing Education Units, issued by the State of Michigan) during our conference.  Keep checking with your CEA delegate for more information.

CEA Book Club

The CEA book club will be returning to Convention 2009. Plan now to read The Road by Cormac Mccarthy. We are looking forward to a great discussion in October.

CEA Instrumental Ensemble

We are also looking forward to our teachers returning to the mass meetings with their instruments to lead us in worshipping our great God!. We are inviting any teacher or administrator who can play an instrument to come and share your gift with us! Simply bring your instrument and your music stand and come a few minutes early to the Thursday mass meeting for a quick rehearsal and join in! The mass meeting on Thursday, October 22 will begin at 8:45 a.m.

CEA dues for the 2009 - 2010 school year will be $80.00.  

CEA Email - cea@ceateachers.org. 

CEA Website - www.ceateachers.org.